Fishing Cat
From Encyclopedia Jr, free information reference for Kids
Conservation status: Vulnerable |
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| Prionailurus viverrinus or Felis viverrina ( |
The Fishing Cat (Prionailurus viverrinus or Felis viverrina) is a medium-sized cat of Asia. Its habitat in Southeast Asia ranges through
Like its closest relative, the Leopard Cat, the Fishing Cat lives along rivers, brooks and mangrove
As the name implies, fish is the main prey of this cat. In addition it hunts for other aquatic animals like frogs or crayfish, as well as terrestrial animals like rodents and birds. The inter-digital webs on its paws helps the cat gain better traction in muddy environments and water, like many other mammals in semi-aquatic environments. Additionally, its claws are non-retractable, a feature unique to only one other cat species, the cheetah. There are two
- Prionailurus viverrinus viverrinus or felis viverrina vivverina, India,
- Prionailurus viverrinus risophores or felis viverrina risophores,
Captive fishing cats can be seen at 22 different North American institutions. By December 2005, there were 72 fishing cats in these institutions. The largest captive group in North America is found at the Rosamond Gifford Zoo in Syracuse, New York (15 cats).
[edit] References
- Cat Specialist Group (2002). Prionailurus viverrinus. 2006
- http://www.mnzoo.com/animals/tropics_trail/fcat_1.asp
[edit] External links
- ARKive - images and movies of the fishing cat (Prionailurus viverrinus)
- Fishing Cat (Prionailurus viverrinus) facts - Wild Animals Online encyclopedia
- Fishing cats at Port Lympne and Howletts Wild Animal Parks - at TotallyWild.net.